Printing apparatus.



PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

J. W. WOODILL. PRINTING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED Nov. a. 1904.

@windows No. 829,936. PATENTBD AUG'. 23, 190e.

J. w. WooDILL.

PRINTING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED Nov. a. 1904.

s Bnnnrssnt'r z l Y Y Y [uw www No. 829,936. PATENTBD AUG. 28, 1906. J. W. WOODILL.

PRINTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED HOV. 2, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Wmme

UMTED STATES rligrENr oEEIoE,

JAMES W` WOODILL, OF DOROHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GEORGE F. WOODILL, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

PRINTING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28, 1906.

To all whomf it 'rn/ty concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES W. WoonlLL, a citizen of the United States, residin at Dor chester, in the county of Suffolk anfFState of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing Ap aratus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descri tion of the invention, such as will enable ot 1ers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and i use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in photographic apparatus, and particularly to mechanism for printing pictures upon properl -sensitized paper.

rihe invention consists in an apparatus comprising a paper-inclosing casing, a .negative-holding casing, and means for keeping the paper in proper contact with the negative during the printing operation.

The invention also consists in a closed casing having compartments for receiving and storing sensitized paper, a negative-casmg carrie by the said inclosed casing, and means for exertin a ressure upon the sensitized paper and gholding it in contact with the aper.

T e invention further consists in a lightexcluding casing for holdin sensitized pa er, a negative-casing mounte thereon, an an indicator carried by the casing and operated by the negative-casing for keeping a tally of the number of exposures lnade upon the sensitized paper. I

The invention also consists in certain other novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Fi re 1 is a perspective view of my improvedu printing a paratus. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal verticeJ `section through the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the central part of the printing-casing, showing the means for holdlng the sensitized paper in contact with the negative with an even rassure. Fig. 4 isa detail view showing t e negative-carrying casing. Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the negative-holding casingt tical longitudinal section throug the appahanging Fig. 6` is a perspective view of thei printing appar'atus with the light-excluding cover in its closed position. 1 7 is a verratus with the cover closed; and Fig. 8 is a detail view in elevation of the negative-carrying frame in inverted position, showing the marking-teeth carried thereby and the cutter mounted thereon.

The apparatus forming the subject-matter of the present invention is designed for the purpose of printing a number of images upon a continuous strip or piece of sensitized material or Y aper, and the device is so oo nstructed t at a roll of' sensitized material ma be placed in the casing of the apparatus be assed from one portion thereof to another eneath a negative, the paper being kept from the light, and thus preserved in a fresh and active condition during the time taken for making a large number of prints.

A practical structure for carrying out the features of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which 1 indicates a casing, formed with dark compart ments 2 and 3, adapted to receive rolls 4 and 5, upon which sensitized materials, such as paper or the like, ma be Wound, the said paper bein out in an e ongated strip for that purpose. pon an intermediate portion of the casing 1 is mounted a negative-carrying casing 6, which is dpreferably hin ed to the said casing at oner e ge thereof, as s own at 7. The opposite edge of the negative-casing carries a catch,` as 8, which engages a detent or pin 9. The catch pro er has a spring action and slips over the en of the projecting detent 9, so as to snap over the same and positively hold the frame in its closed or folded position, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The negative-casing 6 is provided with an overflange 10, forming a rabbeted recess upon t e inner surface of the casing for receiving a negative-frame 11. The negativeframe 11 is also provided with a rabbeted recess upon its inner edge for receiving the ne ative. The said negative-frame is provi ed with inwardly-projecting lugs 12, overhan in the rabbeted recess upon one ed e of tle game, and in inserting a ne ative t e edgeof the negative is rst slippe ybeneath the said lu s 12 and then permitted to fall into the rab eted recesses the frame.

A turn-button or pivoted catch 13 is secured to the o posite edge of the frame and may be turne so as to `overhan the edge of A the negative and hold it positive y imposition IOO los

in the frame. The frame, with its negative, is then in condition to he inserted in the negative easing 6. The casing is also provided with inwardly-overhanginU lugs or detents 1-1. projecting from one edge of said frame and adapted to prevent the negative-frame from falling from the easing when the said casing is being folded or unfolded upon the casing 1. The negative-frame inayheloched i in the casing in any suitable manner, but l preferably employ a removable slide. or har l5. which fits into an elongated slot lt. formed in the edge olI the easing (i. rllhe slide 15 is made to tit snugly in the slot 1G,

and its inner edge is beveled, so as to overhang the edge of the negativedrame and holding said frame against the flange 1t) of the casing 6. The said slide also carries a projecting lug or detent 17, which extends a little distance over the edge of the negative frame for positively holding the negativeframe in position and preventing the possibility of it falling from its position, The slot vlo in the negative-easing may be made sulfieiently large to receive the 1legative-franie, and the negative-frame may be inserted in said easing or removed therefrom through the said slot, if desired. lt will he observed.however, that the negative-frame can be (ptite readily removed from the interior of the casing hy folding it` bark upon its hinges and withdrawing the slide 15, after which one edge of the frame may he lifted and the other edge then withdrawn from beneath the lugs or pins 14. Vhon the negative-frame is in position beneath the said lugs or pins 14 and the slide. 15 has been inserted in place, the negative-casing may be turned downwardly upon the casing 1, as shown in Fig. 1, without danger of the negative or its frame falling from its position.

Mounted in the casing 1 and directly beneath the. negative-frame is a pressure-producing platen or board 18. This platen 1S is forced upwardly normally by one or more pressure-exerting springs 19, which are se cured to the under surface of the said platen. The platen is guided in its vertical movement by depending pins 2t), which are secured to the platen and extend through guiding-apertures 21, formed in the bottom of the casing 1. The depth of the casing is greatly dimin ished beneath the negative-casing, so that there is not a great space left between the said platen and the bottom 22 of the casing 1. The platen or pressure-board 1S carries upon its upper surface a cloth or yielding material of some character for engaging the sensitized paper, which passes over the platen, and pressing the same evenly against the under surface of the negative-paper. The strength of the springs 19 is such that when the negative-casing 6 is turned backwardly upon its hinges the platen will rise, so that its upper surface is a ove the upper contour of the inclosing casing 1. When the negative-casing l, is closed or folded, it forces the platen downwardly against the action of the springs lt), i and thus the proper pressure is exerted iu l holding the sensitized paper in contact with the negative.

The casing may he provided with a project ing marker 21%, which may be in the shape of one or more pins or projections, as shown in Fig. h. These |irojerting pins forni niarking means and engage the web of the paper when the casing is closed and serve as an indication of how much of the paper is exposed at one time and how lar it should he moved in order not to produce a lap of thi,` expo sures. lt will he apparent, of course, that the negative-frame 11 may be provided with such pin, as at '24, if desired, in which event it need not he placed upon the casing. lt is preferable to place it upon the casing, however, as it can then he used whether an auxiliary negative frame or easing 11 is employed or not, It will he apparent that. a crayon or other roior-depositiug means may he eniployed instead of the pin above referred to.

lt will be evident that the negative frame or hit might he dispensed with, if desired, if the negative is large enough to lit into the rahbeted rec-ess of the negative-easing (i. In this event the negative itself takes the place of the negative-kit and is inserted beneath the projecting pins 14 and is further secured in the negative-casing by the insertion of the bar 15, with its overhanging rejections 17.

1t will be understood that iilerent sizes of inner frames 11 may be employed to hold the different-sized plates, and a number of such frames or kits may be kept on hand to adapt the printing mechanism to various sizes of negatives. 'ln this manner the printing device can he used with a large range of negatives. The end portions of the casing 1, which form the dark compartments 2 and 3, are provided with pivoted lids or covers 25 and 26, which are hinged at 27 and 28, so that when the negative-casing is opened they may be` folded back. upon the ends of the casing 1 to permit of access to the dark compartments for the insertion or removal of the rolls of paer mounted therein. The inner edges of the liinged covers 25 and 26 are held downwardly by the overhanging edges of the negative easing when it is folded downward u on the casing 1. The covers 25 and 25 are t 111s prevented from o l)ening when the printingframe is expose in the sunlight er in an artiticial light 1n performing the printing operation. The rolls 4 and 5 are so mounted in the dark compartments 2 and 3 that they maybe removed at any time, Whether wound or unwound. As shown in Fig. 2, the side walls of the casing 1 are provided with inclined grooves 29, which receive the ends of the roll carrying the sensitized paper. It is only necessary to provide a groove upon one side of the frame for facilitating the insertion IOO or removal of the roll 4 or 5. The journal at one end of the roll is iirst inserted in a socket formed in the side wall of the casin and then the journal at the other end of t e roll is permitted to drop into position through the groove 2E). Incom artment 2 the groove 29 is placed in the wal on the opposite side of the casing from that shown in compartment 3. In this manner no matter at which end of the casing the aperture stands the roll may always he lifted at the left-hand end. An)T desired means might be employed for holdingr rolls in position in the said dark compartments after the have been placed therein. Ono of the ro lsas, for instance, the roll LJi-may be provided with a rojectinY axial ortion, as 3U, which exten s through one o the walls ol the casing 1. The said projecting portion may be provided with any suitable handle b v which the roll mayr be turned. In this manner the sensitized muterial employed in the printing apparatus may be wound from the roll 5 upon the roll 4. the said material being drawn across the pressure-platen i8 in this manner. ln order to direct the winding of the paper or other sein sitized material. upon the roll fi, I conteml plate using pivoted guide-arms 3l. secured upon the inner surface of the walls of the casing l at points near one edge of the platen is The other ends of the said projections are oil set and extend toward the roll or spool 4 The piviitnllvnninntod guido-arms may be set at such an angle :.s to engage the edges nl' :he web of paper :is it travels tovtiirl the ruil l, upon which ii is being wound As the inniges taken troni tin. negative are formed upon n. travi-ling strip ol' sensiti/.ed paper which is kept s ithin the elosun of the casing to protect. it l'roin the eilects of light.

it is desiralili to haw some ineans of delen i inthe mining the militer of prints sev'ured. drawings i. haie simrvn u simple and vet et fcrtivc menus tor aeonnplzshing this purpose, comprising a ralchetndisk 32J which is pirotally mounted in a recess 33, formed in the side of the easing l. The ratchet-disk is engaged by :i spring-bar 3ft, carried by the free edge of the negatiire-casing 6. The ratchetdisk 32 is prevented trom taking a retrograde` movement by means oF a spring-pawl 35, which is secured to the wall of the casing 1 and projects into the recess 33, so as to engage the ratchet-teeth upon the edge of the ratchet-disk 32. The ratchet-teeth upon the disk are provided with numbers adjacent thereto, the said numbers being shown in the drawings as extending from l to l0. The parts of the ratchet mechanism are so pro ortioned and arranged with respect to each) other that When the negative-casing 6 is closed the ratchet-disk will be turned the distance of one point or ratchet-tooth upon its pivot. Since the casing 6 must be opened after each exposure, so that the sensitized pa- L shown in Fig. (iA

)er may be moved forwardly to present :t iresh portion thereof for the next irint, the frame must be closed after each ol1 such operations and will operate the ratchet-disk 32. In this manner the number of exposures ol` a particular negative can be reckoned, and ab though the images upon the sensitized muterial cannot be seen before developed, `vet. the indicator informs the operator when the desired number oi prints have been secured. At the time when each negative is placed in the frame the disk may be reset, beginning at 1, in order to count the number of prints for the said negative. The disk mav be turned by pushing the ratchet-teeth about, or the casing ma)Y be opened or closed a nuin ber of times onsetting the disk at its startingpoint. As will be observed, all the teeth ou the ratchet-wheel are of the same size and in the proper position, except the one which luis the slot 45. This particular tooth is longer i than an)v of the other teeth in order that it will rer uirc the ratchet to be. manually operated before the automatic means will again come into operation. By this means the inet'luinism will count ten and then cease to operate. because the spring 34 contacts with the tooth having the slot 45 therein. Thus when the ratchet-wheel is moved manually, so as to allow the spring to rest upon the tooth i, the ratchet `will then antinnatirnliv operate until the springeon'ies to the slot t5, when it will remain 'in that position until manually4 operatori again.

ft. shown in liigs. t and 7, I eontemplate employing a cover or shutter, as liti, for thtI nrgniiie-l`rame. which assists nudei'mll)v in :abteilung successful prints and in guarding the inwntii'ig-paper from too much ex'posure to the light. Such a shut ter is hinged at one edge :is at 3T. 'to the negative-casing t'. while the ot her edge is formed with a loon ilap 3h'. which everl'iangs the edgiof the casing. as is l also employ lat ernll`\'extending auxiliary iiaps H1 and 4t), u hit-h o ver"- hang the edges oi' the. casing and which extend transverselyY of the frame. (lne of the said thi is, as 31), ma)v be made oll comparativeli tiiin material, so that in tilting the llnp slightlyr to exan'iine the paper beneath enough light will be permitted to enter around the flap and through it to make it possible to see the marks on the paper which are left by the marking projections 23. The flaps hang over the edges of the frame sittlicientlir to permit the frame to be raised enough to disengage the sensitive paper from the markers for moving the sensitized paper longitudinally without the danger of admitting too much light.

In order to be able to sever the prints from the Web, I provide the casing 6 with a cutter or knife 41, extending along one edge of the frame transversely of the apparatus. As shown in Fig. 7, transverse bars or supports IOO IIS

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.the marker ma embed themselves after perforating or in enting the pa er. The upper-surface of the transverse ar 43 is likewise padded; but I usually form this ad, as 44, o rubber or like material. This orms a suitable material to underlie the paper when the cutter or knife 41 is forced against the same. It will be apparent that` in marking impressions upon the continuous web of paper and storing the web with its printed impressions within a casing the indicator above described will be useful in keeping account of the number of prints wound up upon the roll. When severing each print from the web, however, as they are made, it is not necessary to ein loy the indicator. When not using the in icator, the disk 32 is turned so that the end of the spring 34 will enga e a slot 45, formed in the edge ofthe disk. his slot is made sufficiently deep to prevent the turning of the disk by the action of the spring 34. When the disk is to be used, it is only necessary to rotate it sufficiently to bring the spring 34 into engagement with the first counting-tooth to one side of the slot 45.

In the operation of the device a roll of sensitized material is placed in one of the dark compartments, as 3, and the end thereof carried over to the spool orrbll 4, mounted in the other dark compartment 2, the web of the paper passing over the upper surface of the pressure-platen 18 and beneath the negative. The negative from which it isdesired to secure rints is then placed in the negativecasin g, w lich is folded downwardly upon the casing 1 and held in position by catch 8. The printing device is sov placed that the plate may be exposed in the rays of the sun or an" artificial light the proper length of time, after which the negative-casing'is opened and the web of paper wound upon the s oolf4 until a fresh stretch thereof is brought eneath the, negative. The negative-casing is then closed again and theo eration `is repeated. This operation is pe ormed as many times as is necessary to secure the desired'number of copies of the particular negative. The opening and closing of the frame or casing 6 in the meantime operates the indicatingdisk, so

that a tally is kept upon thenumber of rints made upon the negative." After a the prints have been made which can be accommodated onthes'trip. ofsensitized paper the roll thereof may be removed from the casing 1 and the prints may be finished, they being either toned or developedV according as a printing-out aper or. a A`developing-paper is employed. f preferred, the printsmay be developed orI toned in the-strip o r they may be cut apart and developed singly or in small "with an opening,

means therein for 4the com artments,

batches. Of course when thus cutting the prints the sensitized material is not rolled u on the roll 4, but is merely pulled over the p aten from roll 5, and after each print has )een taken the end of the roll lying upon" the platen is pulled sufficiently far beyond the said platen to rest upon the cross-bar 43, and by lowering the frame 6 the knife 41 will sever the paper, and the undeveloped or untoned print may, be immediately developed or toned for finishing purposes.

In operating the mechanism the cover 36 can be raised slightly at the edge for inspecting the paper and the markings or indentaf tions produced upon the paper by the marker 23 and will show the operator how far to unwind the web and will also indicate the points at which the prints should `be cut and detached from the web. The device will thus be seen to be admirably adapted f or the rinting of pictures from negatives of all liinds and sizes, and although the prints are lplaced successively upon a continuous web of paper the paper printed u on is thoroughly protected from the light ang preserved while these operations are being performed. vIn removing or replacing the sensitized paper in the casing the negative frame and casing is folded back, as well as the covers 25 and 26,` and in this manner ample access is had to the entire interior portion of the said casing vl.

Having now described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isu -1. A printing apparatus, comprising a oasing having compartments for holding sensi- 'tized material and provided with. an opening in its top wall, means overhanging the said opening for supporting a negative above the aper, and means mounted upon the casing or forcing the paper above the level of the topwall for-bringing it into contact with the negative.

, 2. A printin apparatus, comprising a dark casing for olding sensitized material, a spring-pressed platen mounted upon the ca'sing, means on the platen engaging the sald casing for v.guidingthe platen 1n its movement, the top `|of the casing being provided and meanscovering the opening and extending above the platen for holding a negative in position with respect to the sensitized paper.

Br A printing apparatus, comprising a casing having lenlar ed dark compartments, olding a continuous web the casing being elevated between a yielding platen movably gui ed upon the said casing and a negative-holding means arranged in the top or ulpper wall of the casing and overhangmg t e` platen.

4. A photographic printing apparatps comprising a casing having enlarged enddark compartments, means therein for holding4 a of paper,

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, and engaging said portion,

web of sensitized paper, a negative-frame mounted upon the top of the casing, the said top being formed with a central aperture, spring-actuated means mounted upon the casing beneath the said aperture for pressing the sensitized paper against a negative and means carried by the spring-actuated means for guidin it with respect to the casing.

5. A potographic -printing apparatus, comprising acasing havin enlarged end compartments, means for ho ding and passing a web of sensitized material from one compartment to the other, a raised portion ofthe casing arranged between the com artments, a spring-actuated platen mounted) on the casing, guiding means on the platen and extending through the easing for directing the platen in its movement, the top of the casing having a central opening over said platen, and a pivoted negative-carrying ,means secured to one side of the casing and folding downwardly over said opening.

6, A photographic-printmg apparatus, comprising a casing havin an enlar ed dark compartment at each en a raise central portion, a s Y ring-pressed laten mounted thereon, gui es projecting iIi-om said platen the top of the casing being formed with a central aperture, and means forming the cover o'r top of the casing comprising a central movable ne ativeframe and exterior end flaps pivotaly secured to the end portions ofthe casing.

7. A photographie-printing apparatus, comprising a casing having dark comparte ments for holding sensitized material, a platen mounted upon the casing between the dark com artments, springs secured to the platen and)bearin upon the said casing, guiding means secured to the laten and engaging the casin and means or holding a negative a ainst t iesaid platen.

8. printing apparatus for photogra hic operations, comV risino' a casing having ark compartments or holding sensitized material, a sprin -controlled laten movably mounted on t ie casing, a plvoted frame eX tending across the top of the casing and capable of holding a negative, the platen being adapted to press the paper against the negative, and flexible means carried by the frame for excluding light around the edges ofthe frame.

9. A photographic-printing a paratus, comprising a casing closed against ight havin dark compartments formed therein for holding a web of sensitized material, the top of the casing being provided with 'a central opening, means for supporting a negative a ove the opening in the casing, and means mounted upon the casin for pressing the sensitized material upwar y through the opening against the negative. i

10. A photographic-printing apparatus, comprising a casing having dark compartments formed therein,winding means in said dark compartments for holdin a strip of sensitized material, the top wallg of the casing having an opening formed therein, a frame pivoted to the casing and extending transversely over said opening, the said frame being capable of holding a negative in position, and means carried by the said frame for marking the web of sensitized material.

11. A photographic-printing a paratus, comprising a dark casing, a cover limged to the said casing and having an opening in the top wall thereof, fla s secured to the ends and one of the side edges of the cover for excluding light from crevices between the frame and the casing, and means for pressing a Web of sensitized material upwardly against a negative in said frame.

12. A photographic-printing ap aratus, comprising a casing having sensitized) aperholding compartments, a cover or top or the casing havin an opening formed therein, a frame hinger to the easing and capable of holding a negative over 'said opening, a platen mounted upon the bottom of ltlhe casing,

idin oints rojeetin throug a ertures iiiu thegslaid casing-bottm, the said points permitting of an up-and-down movement of the platen, and springs carried by the platen and engaging the fioor of the casing for forcing the platen upwardly against the sensitized material passing over the same.

13. A photographic-printing a paratus, comprising a casing having end ark com partments and a contracted central portion, a platen mounted upon the floor of the casing, means for covering the platen and the dark compartments comprising a hinged frame mounted so as to extend laterally across the casing, and hinged flaps secured to the dark compartments and having a movement at ri ht angles to the hinged movement of the iame, and means' for excluding light from the joints in the parts.

14. A printing-frame comprising a casing for holdlng sensitized aper, a nevativeframe mounted thereon aving a rabbeted recess upon its u'nder surface, and having a slot to one side of said recess through which a negative may be inserted or removed, a strip or bar for closing the said slot or opening, the said bar having means for holding the negative in place, and means carried by the frame overhanging another edge of the negative for further holding the same in position.

15. A printing apparatus comprising a casing for inclosing a sensitized paper having an opening in one side, a hinged negativecarrying casing mounted adjacent to said opening, a removable negative-frame mounte in the said hinged casing, overhanging lugs for engaging one edge of the negativeame, a removable retaining-strip overhanging another edge of the negative-frame, and

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means for removably holding a negative in the frame, and means for latohing and holding the negative-casing in its folded position over the sensitized paper in the easing.

16. A printing mechanism comprising a light-excluding casing, a strip of sensitized paper movably mounted therein, a frame for carrying a ne ative and pressing the saine to the sensitize paper, and means projecting from the said easing and engaging the strip of paper for preventing its movement during the printing operation.

17. A printing mechanism comprising a closed casing, a hinged negative-carrying frame mounted upon the easing, means in the casin for moving and holdin a strip of sensitize fpaper in position beneat the negative, and a projecting point or detent carried by the negative-frame and engaging the said sensitized paper.

18. A printing mechanism comprising a closed casing, means for movably holding an elongated strip of sensitized paper in the said easing, a hinged negative-carrying easing, a negative-fraine mounted therein and a projecting penetrating-point carried by the negative-frame and en aging the sensitized paper when the print is eing made, the said point preventing any movement of the sensitized paper Wit respect to the negative.

19. A printing apparatus com rising a closed easing for holding sensitize paper, a hinged printing-frame mounted thereon, a

marker carried by one edge of the frame and a cutter carried by the ot er edge thereof for severing the prints as they are made` 20. A printin a paratus comprising a closed casing foriolding sensitized material, a negative-holding frame mounted thereon, a mar er and a cutter carried by the said frame and pads arranged beneath .the marker and cutter for holding the sensitized material against the same.

21. A printing apparatus comprising a closed casing for holding sensitized material, a negative-frame mounted thereon, a cover arranged to cover the negative-frame and provided Withilexible flaps, for excluding the light when the frame is raised to Wind in the last exposure.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES W. WOODILL.

Witnesses:

IDA M. HASKELL, E. B. ToLMAN. 

